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Over 600 competitors took part in today's race in Lanesborough. Ryan Byrne/INPHO
Triple Threat

17-year-old Edgar storms to national sprint distance triathlon title

Carolyn Hayes dug deep to defend her title in the women’s race.

JAMES EDGAR FOLLOWED in the footsteps of his fellow Ulsterman, Olympian Gavin Noble, with a win at today’s sprint distance national triathlon championship in Lanesborough, Co. Longford.

The 17-year-old was ecstatic with his time of 57 min 15 second time over the short distance course (750m swim, 20km cycle and 5km run – half of the Olympic discipline) and called his finishing run the best he had ever done as he finished 39 seconds clear of Darren Dunne.

James Edgar Ryan Byrne / INPHO Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO

“To have my name among the stars of the sport for Ireland is something special and to win a national championships really sets me up for the future,” Edgar said with a nod to the 2020 Olympics he hopes to compete at.

Carolyn Hayes Hayes moves to the start line before the swim in Lough Ree. Ryan Byrne / INPHO Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO

The women’s race was won by Carolyn Hayes, the defending champion coming out on top despite emerging from Lough Ree 13 seconds down on Emer Wintsch.

“I wanted to win,” said the medical student after battling the competition, “I had one goal and that was to win but I didn’t know what way it was going to go.

“I just said I’ve leave nothing to chance and I really went for it. It’s great to retain the title. I definitely had to work for it.”

Carolyn Hayes Hayes on her way to victory. Ryan Byrne / INPHO Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO

English junior Wintsch was overtaken for second spot by Heather Foley who powered home in the fastest run split of the day.

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